The weapon was found to be unloaded, but not before the road was shut down, a California Highway Patrol helicopter dispatched to fly overhead and the University of California's Bomb Squad called in to examine the situation.

The unloaded grenade launcher, more like a metal tube, but nonetheless threatening, may be owned by the suspect's brother, who is a member of the military.

The road was closed for three hours and the boy was hauled away in handcuffs.